Removable core cylinder for hotel lock



June 13, 1967 M. M. CHECK 3,324,693

REMOV A B L E C O R E C Y L INDER FOR HOTEL LOCK Filed Oct. 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M M 0460K M. M. CHECK 3,324,693

REMOVABLE GORE CYLINDER FOR HOTEL LOCK June 13, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 14, 1964 INVENTOR. M M CHEQ ri-0mm United States Patent 3,324,693 REMOVABLE CGRE CYLINDER FGR HGTEL LOCK Mathias M. Check, Straiford, Pa., assignor to Eaton Yale & Towne, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Ohio Filed Get. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 403,709 Ciairns. (Cl. 7t)369) This invention relates to lock tumbler cylinders of the class having a removable core, and more particularly to a novel removable core cylinder that will contribute the key control functions necessary in a hotel lock.

As will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art, hotel locks must be so constructed as to restrict the operation of a guest key, that key being effective to retract the latchbolt but not to move a deadbolt with which the lock is equipped. An emergency key can be used to move the deadbolt, and to retract the latchbolt as Well.

In normal use, the deadbolt of a hotel lock is controlled merely through a fingerpiece at the inner side of the door. In other words, a shut-out feature is available to the guest, as is necessary. The emergency key is merely necessary on some occasions when it must be possible to operate the deadbolt from the outside.

It will be appreciated further that it is highly desirable to equip the cylinder of a hotel lock with a removable core, because that will enable the tumbler combination of the lock to be easily changed when the management wishes to do so. Through the novel concept of my invention, it is possible to construct a cylinder having a removable core that will operate very well on a hotel lock, olfering the particular key control functions that are required.

In my novel removable core cylinder, I utilize relatively simple means that will control the direction and the amount of rotation of a key plug, depending on the key that is used, so that individual keys may control particular lock functions. The keys may include not only the several keys that are required for a hotel lock, but also a control key that will control the removal of the core from the lock cylinder.

As a feature of my invention, I equip my cylinder with a ward that will limit the angle through which a key plug can rotate when a first key is used, but that will allow a second key to effect further rotation. The limited rotation effected by the first key may be utilized to retract a latchbolt, that key being a guest key. The further rotation may operate a deadbolt, so that the second key will be effective as an emergency key.

As a more particular feature, I utilize a ward so positioned as to allow a guest key to rotate somewhat in an emergency operating direction, but limiting the amount of rotation so that the guest key actually can not serve as an emergency key. The particular rotation will be that which is required for a control operation, allowing the use of a control key that is made almost exactly like the guest key. More in detail, I place the ward at an angle to the locking or neutral position of the keys. The guest key and the control key can be more or less standard keys that are merely bitted in a conventional way, since they need not rotate beyond the particular angle. An emergency key will be formed with a particular slot accepting the ward, and can rotate through a further angle.

A further feature resides in a novel construction that I utilize for the ward in my novel removable core cylinder. Thus, I assemble the ward in a slot in the periphery of the removable core, so that the outer cylinder body will lock the ward in position to coact with a key when the core is assembled in an opening of the cylinder body. As a particular part of this feature, the ward also will be held by friction in its slot, so that it will not accidentally drop out when the core is removed from the cylinder, but

Patented June 13, 1967 enabling the ward to be easily removed should it be desired to do that.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, or course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention, in order to prevent the appropriation of my invention by those skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of my novel removable core lock tumbler cylinder.

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section.

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is similar to a portion of FIG. 2, but shows a control key in position in the cylinder.

FIG. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 in FIG, 4. K

FIG. 6 illustrates the release operation of the control key.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of parts of my cylinder.

FIG. 7A shows the novel ward that I utilize.

FIG. 8 shows the control key.

FIG. 9 shows a guest key.

FIG, 10 shows an emergency key.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, my novel cylinder has a core 10 that is assembled to a cylindrical body 11 in a way that is usual in cylinders of the particular class, being inserted into assembled position in an opening 12 extending through the front of the body. The core 10 includes a rotatable key plug 13, and a series of spring pressed drivers 14 and tumblers 15 controlling the locking of key plug 13 and adapted to be set by a key inserted in a keyway 16 in key plug 13. A retaining ring 113 holds key plug 13 assembled to core 10, and the rearward end of key plug 13 is slotted to engage a lug 114 on a rather usual rotatable cam on the cylinder body 11, when the core 10 is in the body opening 12.

For the purposes of disclosure, I show the core 10 retained in the cylinder body 11 through a construction much like that shown in my earlier patent, No. 3,009,349. Thus, referring to FIG. 5, there is a retainer 17 that is mounted through a pivot 18 on the core 10, and that is pressed by a spring 19 to a normal poistion engaging a slot 26 in the interior of cylinder body 11 so as to lock the core in assembled position in the body opening 12. A slidable pin 21 is mounted on the key plug 13 for coacting with an opening 22 in retainer 17, but during normal operation of the cylinder the pin 21 is in the retratced position shown in FIG. 2, allowed key plug 13 to rotate freely relatively to the retainer 17.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a control key C, which is extra long so as to extend under the pin 21, can be inserted to project pin 21 into the opening 22 in the retainer 17. Then, when control key C rotates key plug 13 a certain amount counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 6, the pin 21 will rotate the retainer 17 to a release position so that the core 10 can be slid out of the opening 12 in cylinder body 11, I believe it will be necessary to describe this particular operation in further detail since 3 it is well set forth in the earlier patent to which I have referred.

In the novel removable core cylinder that I have now conceived, I utilize a ward 23, that is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 7. In the form that I prefer, the ward 23 is a metal stamping having a more or less crescent-shaped base 24 that is symmetrical about a mid-point. On end portion of the base 24 has an inwardly directed stop portion 25 arranged at an angle, which may be about 30, relatively to the mid-point of the base. The bottom of the lock core 10 has a transverse slot 26 in which the ward 23 fits, with the stop portion 25 of the ward extending into a clearance groove 27 formed around the periphery of key plug 13, as shown in FIG. 3. The stop portion 25 then lies in the path in which a key may rotate with key plug 13. but in angular relation at one side of a neutral position of the key and keyway 16.

Thus, the ward 23 may limit the rotation of a key from neutral position in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, while nevertheless allowing the key to rotate somewhat in that direction. The particular rotation will be that which is necessary to allow control key C to rotate the retainer 17, as described. The ward 23 will not limit the rotation of a key that is gated to accept the stop portion 25. A key when rotating clockwise from neutral position will move away from the stop portion 25 and naturally may rotate through a relatively unlimited angle.

I may indicate here that I form the ward 23 in a shape that is slightly bowed in a transverse direction as shown in FIG. 7A. The slot 26 in which the Ward 23 fits is relatively fiat, and therefore the ward when inserted in the slot will be held by friction. Thus, the ward 23 will not accidentally drop out of the slot 26 when the core 10 is removed from the cylinder body 11, yet the ward 23 can easily be removed from the slot 26 when desired. When the core 10 is an assembled position in the cylinder body 11, the surface of the cylinder opening 12 actually will lock the ward 23 in position in its slot 26.

To describe in detail the operation of the ward 23, I shall indicate first that a conventional guest key G, FIG. 9, will be used to rotate the key plug 13 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. Those persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the particular rotation may be utilized for retracting a latchbolt through the cam 115. Also, it will be recalled that the stop portion 25 of the ward 23 will permit the necessary operation of the control key C, as in FIG. 6, since the stop portion 25 lies in angular relation to the neutral position of key plug 13 and itskeyway 16. The stop portion 25 does not prevent the guest key G from rotating through the same counterclockwise angle, but that key G cannot effect release of the core 10 because it does not have the extra length of control key C, and cannot lift the pin 21.

It will now be seen that both the control key C and guest key G will operate in the manner that is required when formed from more or less standard key blanks that are simply bitted in a conventional way, it merely being necessary that. control key C be longer than guest key G. However, neither the control key C nor the guest key G can rotate key plug 13 counterclockwise beyond a small angle.

Let us now consider the emergency key E. In FIG. 10, I show that key bitted somewhat differently from the guest key G, so that it can be used to operate a series of lock cylinders in the manner of a master key, as will be understood. The particular key bittings actualy are not important to an understanding of my invention, but I do show in FIG. 2 an extra tumbler 28 that will allow operation by the differently bitted keys E and G, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art. I call particular attention to the fact that I form the back edge of the emergency key E with a gating 128, FIG. 10, which will be aligned relatively to the ward 23.

When the emergency key E is inserted in keyway 16 and rotated from neutral position counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3, the gating 128 will accept the stop portion 25 of the ward 23. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the ward 23 will not control the emergency key E, and that key can rotate the key plug 13 through a relatively large angle in a counterclockwise direction, as well as in a clockwise direction. The relatively large angle of counterclockwise rotation naturally may be utilized for operating a deadbolt through the cam 115, and therefore the emergency key E may effect full operation of the deadbolt as well as the latchbolt of a hotel lock. Neither the guest key G nor the control key C can rotate through a sufficient angle to operate as an emergency key, since the ward 23 will limit the rotation of those keys in emergency operating direction.

My novel removable core cylinder may very well be utilized on hotel locks of either hand. Thus, while I have described the emergency operation as being counterclockwise, and guest key operation clockwise, it will be a simple matter to reverse the particular directions of operation. To do that, it will merely be necessary to reverse the position of the ward 23 in its slot 26, as may easily be done upon removing the core 10 from the opening 12 in cylinder body 11. The stop portion 25 of the ward then will lie in a clockwise direction from the neutral position of the key, and not in a counterclockwise direction as I have described and shown in FIG. 3. That naturally will enable the guest key G to rotate key plug 13 fully in the reversed latchbolt retracting direction, or in other words counterclockwise, but will not permit that key to rotate sufficiently clockwise to effect emergency operation.

I believe that those persons skilled in the art will understand the construction and the operation of the extremely novel lock tumbler cylinder that I have conceived. Through my invention, it is possible to construct a cylinder that will operate very well to contribute the key control functions required in a hotel lock, while achieving the advantages of a removable lock core. Moreover, I am able to do these things through a constructon that actually is quite simple. Therefore, I believe that the very considerable value of my novel cylinder will be under stood, and that the merits of my invention will be fully appreciated.

I now claim:

1. In a lock cylinder of the class described, a lock core formed with a key plug bore, a rotatable key plug in said bore, tumblers controlling the rotation of said key plug in said bore, said key plug having a keyway for a key that will set the tumblers, an outer body having an opening fitting the periphery of the lock core and in which the lock core is assembled, a ward for coacting with a key that is inserted in the keyway of the key plug whereby to limit rotation of the key plug, the periphery of the lock core having a slot extending to the key plug bore and in which said ward is assembled, a base portion of said ward fitting between side walls of said slot, said base portion being formed in a shape that is somewhat bowed in a transverse direction for frictionally engaging the side walls of the slot, so that the ward when assembled will be held by friction and will not accidentally drop out of the slot when said lock core is removed from said outer body, and a surface of said opening in the outer body locking said ward assembled in key coacting position in said opening of the lock core when said core is in assembled position in the opening of the outer body.

2. In a combination of the class described, a key plug formed with a keyway, a first part having a bore in which said key plug is mounted for rotation, tumblers controlling the rotation of said key plug and adapted to be set in release position by a key inserted into said keyway, an outer part having an opening fitting the periphery of the first part and in which the first part is mounted, the periphery of said first part formed with a slot transverse to the key plug bore and extending to said bore, a ward having a base fitting said slot in the periphery of the first part when said ward is assembled in each of two reversed positions in said slot, at stop portion formed on one end portion on the base of the ward and extending into the key plug bore so as to lie in the path in which a key in the keyway will rotate with the key plug, a surface of the opening in said outer part overlying the base of the ward whereby to lock the ward in each reversed position when assembled, so that its stop portion may be alternately effective to limit the rotation of the key and key plug at one point or another, and said base of the ward being formed in a shape that is bowed in a direction transverse to said slot for frictionally engaging the side walls of the slot so that the ward will not accidentally drop out of assembled position when said first part is removed from the opening in said outer part.

3. In a combination of the class described, a lock housing, a lock core formed with a key plug bore, a releasable retainer normally engaged between the housing and the lock core to hold the core assembled to the housing, a key plug formed with a keyway and mounted for rotation in said key plug bore, said key plug being equipped with means through which said plug may act for controlling different lock operations when said plug rotates through a relatively large angle in each direction from a neutral position in said bore, tumblers normally locking the key plug in neutral position and adapted to be set in release position by a key inserted into the keyway, a series of keys for setting the tumblers and rotating the key plug, said series of keys including a first key, a

control key and a further key, means through which the control key will act when rotating the key plug from neutral position through a certain angle which is less than the relatively large angle whereby to move said releasable core retainer to position, a ward mounted on the lock core and having a stop portion in position displaced through said certain angle from the neutral position of the keyway, said stop portion lying in the path in Which said keys may move when rotating the plug so that said first key cannot substantially rotate the key plug in one direction beyond said certain angle, said further key being formed with a gating that will accept the stop portion of the ward whereby to enable said further key to rotate the key plug in each direction for controlling the different lock operations, and said ward stop portion by its angularly displaced position enabling the control key to effect release movement of the core retainer, while restricting the lock operations that may be controlled by the first key.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, an outer cylinder body forming said lock housing, said cylinder body having an opening fitting the periphery of the lock core, said releasable retainer normally holding the look core assembled in said opening of the cylinder body, said lock core having in its periphery an opening extending to said bore in which the key plug is mounted, said ward being shaped to be assembled in the peripheral opening of the lock core, and a surface of said opening in the outer cylinder body holding said ward assembled in said peripheral opening.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 3, and including means for mounting said ward in reversed positions displacing the stop portion of the ward in either direction from the neutral position of the keyway, so as to limit in one direction or the other the angle through which said first key can rotate the key plug.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 752,624 2/1904 La Belle -420 X 966,295 8/1910 Augenbraun 70372 1,788,334 1/1931 Hurd 70 40 2,803,959 8/1957 Schlage 70-420 3,009,349 11/1961 Check 70369 3,099,151 7/1963 Schlage 70-383 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner, EDWARD C. ALLEN, Examiner. P. TEITELBAUM, Assistant Examiner, 

1. IN A LOCK CYLINDER OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A LOCK CORE FORMED WITH A KEY PLUG BORE, A ROTATABLE KEY PLUG IN SAID BORE, TUMBLERS CONTROLLING THE ROTATION OF SAID KEY PLUG IN SAID BORE, SAID KEY PLUG HAVING A KEYWAY FOR A KEY THAT WILL SET THE TUMBLERS, AN OUTER BODY HAVING AN OPENING FITTING THE PERIPHERY OF THE LOCK CORE AND IN WHICH THE LOCK CORE IS ASSEMBLED, A WARD FOR COACTING WITH A KEY THAT IS INSERTED IN THE KEYWAY OF THE KEY PLUG WHEREBY TO LIMIT ROTATION OF THE KEY PLUG, THE PERIPHERY OF THE LOCK CORE HAVING A SLOT EXTENDING TO THE KEY PLUG BORE AND IN WHICH SAID WARD IS ASSEMBLED, A BASE PORTION OF SAID WARD FITTING BETWEEN SIDE WALLS OF SAID SLOT, SAID BASE PORTION BEING FORMED IN A SH APE THAT IS SOMEWHAT BOWED IN A TRANSVERSE DIRECTION FOR FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING THE SIDE WALLS OF THE SLOT, SO THAT THE WARD WHEN ASSEMBLED WILL BE HELD BY FRICTION AND WILL NOT ACCIDENTALLY DROP OUT OF THE SLOT WHEN SAID LOCK CORE IS REMOVED FROM SAID OUTER BODY, AND A SURFACE OF SAID OPENING IN THE OUTER BODY LOCKING SAID WARD ASSEMBLED IN KEY COACTING POSITION IN SAID OPENING OF THE LOCK CORE WHEN SAID CORE IS IN ASSEMBLED POSITION IN THE OPENING OF THE OUTER BODY. 